Twas the Week Before the Backwood's Marketplace

'Twas the week before Backwood's and all of Santa's elves were working hard to finish their goods for market! 

We were all burning the midnight oil ( lanterns by Renee)

Melody's been stirring up soap, (Snicker doodle latte cocoa butter soap by Melody)

Angea and I are sewing, (sew much pinning and sewing on pillows and shirts at my factory)

Carla's been decorating, (decor at Blackstone Ridge - Santa painting by Cleo's Calling)

and everyone's painting... (Joy to the World Sign by Cleo's Calling)

(Rustic signs by Renee)

Creating photo art (photo art by Memories by Michele)

The stockings are ready to be hung by the mantle with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas and shoppers, soon would be there; (vintage Santa will be in the Rooster Tails tent)

The pillows are ready to be nestled all snug in their old iron bed,

Visions of American Girl Dolls have danc'd in Karen and Betty's head, (American Girl Doll Clothes by Karen and Betty)

We repurposed the 'kerchiefs, into new clothing and such

And there's crochet caps, scarves, and ear warmers too. ( My mom has made some crochet items for our booth this time.) 

We've settled our brains on how we want our booths to appear, (if only the weather cooperates and gives us time to set up.)

Out on the roof there arose such a clatter.

Up from the bed, I sprang rusty Angels for you. 

The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, (Christmas lantern  by Renee) 

Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below; (decor at the market)

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature muffin tin, and tiny vintage reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. (Santa Wreath by Angea)

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Dasher, now! Dancer, now! Prancer and Vixen,
"On! Comet, on! Cupid, on! Donder and Blitzen;

 This is one of the houses on Blackstone Ridge - such a gorgeous, primitive style setting. No snow predicted for this week - just cooler, fall like weather that will be enjoyable for Christmas shopping. 

Now we all hope you can come out to the Backwood's Marketplace this weekend! These are just a few of the sample pictures that have been shared in our facebook group. There are several new additions to the market this time and I'm anxious to meet them and see what all they will have! We certainly look forward to seeing each of you who come out and visit and shop with us at the marketplace. Your support for small business and the individual makers and artist is greatly appreciated. It does make a difference in all of our lives and we thank you!

The 4-H is providing concession stands - yummy homemade dessert, beans and cornbread, BBQ sandwiches and such. We will be open late on Saturday night, so everyone can see all the Christmas lights and shop late. Also, door prizes will be given away, including a leaf blower and a basket of items from all the booths.

The market is located in a rural setting, west of Gilmer, Texas on FM 49, between the Hopewell and Little Mound Churches. Here's the direction from Carla:

Directions to marketplace on Nov.19th and 20th: Use GPS for 9553 FM 49 or from Upshur County Courthouse in Gilmer, Texas 75644, go west on 154 for a mile, turn left on FM 49 (at traffic light), go about five and a half miles on FM 49, (NEXT TURN IS THE ONE YOU HAVE TO WATCH FOR, THERE WILL BE A MARKETPLACE SIGN AT THIS TURN) take sharp right with FM 49, towards Little Mound. After this right, go almost three miles, the Blackstone Ridge Homestead is on the left. You can turn in either of the two drives.

Frilly and Distressed Flannels

Hot of the Press! Literally, its super hot the last few weeks, while I've been working on new frilly  and distressed flannels. While working on the shirts, I have been dreaming of fall, pumpkin spice everything, cooler weather, county fairs, and fall mums, scarecrows and all things autumn!  Some of the flannels have lace, some have vintage doilies or hankies, some are distressed and destroyed, all are fun for fall and now available in my shop! 

]

Not all the shirts are flannels, like this brown plaid western shirt.

This black and grey flannel would be great for wearing over your favorite school shirt and cheering on your team, on a cool Friday night! 

A little gypsy style, boho chic, frilly, fun, rustic, western, vintage, shabby chic...
Each as unique as you are!

Some of the shirts are long enough, the would be great as a tunic dress and layered with leggings, belt, and your favorite boots. 

Doily elbow patches! 

Sizes range from small through 3X. Please note that most of the flannels are men's sizing, so order accordingly. I do understand the inconsistency in clothes sizing (I have s-xl in my own closet). I have done my best to list the actual measurements of each shirt in their listings! Shirts were laid flat on my table and width measured underarms and length from point of shoulder to front hemline. Grab oneof your favorite shirts out of your closet and compare measurements, to get the perfect fit. 

Almost all of the shirts have been previously loved and broke in, repurposed in creative ways and looking for a new home. There may be some imperfections, but that's the wonderful part about all of us, right? Some are newer, hardly worn, some are very vintage and a little tattered. They are super comfy and looking for a new forever closet. 

(Any known issues, will be described.)

Don't be like the rest of them, darling. 

A special thanks to my very own Farm Boy, for stopping by my photo shoot last week and modeling for me! He kinda likes this motorcycle flannel! The distressed flannels would work for men or women.

There are lots more in my shop, so please go take a look for the current availability!

Angea and I are both excited about all the items we are working on for our fall markets! Of course, our clothing items will be there and you can shop in person and try them on. Please save the date and plan on coming to see us at the East Texas Yamboree and the Backwood's Marketplace! 

Pictures from the Backwoods Marketplace

The spring Backwoods Marketplace was a blast! We had a fun market getting to visit with old friends and make many new friends and customers. Spring came in with cold and a bitter wind, but we survived and didn't get blown away! Angea and I had a total of three tents and all the stuff spilling out in front of them. We had a lot of stuff! 

The left tent housed more of Angea / Rooster Tails items. She made the lace cover to go over her blue tent, for a total glamping win! She also made drop cloth sides and we are so glad we had sides for our tents this time, since the wind was crazy. 

I'll be adding lots of new pillows to my Etsy shop in the next few weeks. I've got to catch up on a few wedding orders that came in last week.

Miss Gussie was there, showing off and giving lots of tours! 

I was shocked that the rake didn't sell - it makes a very unique door wreath or can be displayed on a porch. May have to keep it for myself! 

The redbud trees were blooming behind our display. 

Angea and I have had so much fun preparing for this event and several "business lunches" at our favorite Mexican food place to discuss our ideas! 

We couldn't have done it all without the help of our husbands (I failed to get a picture of Angea and Randy) helping set up our tents and props securely and taking it all down when it's over. They are a great road crew and support to us! 

We had two of our friends and former coworkers at the flower shop join us on Saturday to help out. We sure miss working with them. Plenty of laughs were heard around the market, all coming from our area! 

Jeff was standing in front of the booth and I told him to look at me, so I could take a picture. He grabbed a pink pony and started petting on it! 

We had one lady who came all the way from Iowa (I think I got the right "I" state, so if you are reading this and I'm wrong, please correct me!) She had found my blog through Pinterest, saw the announcement here, was planning to visit her daughter who lived in the area this week and together they came out to shop with us! I believe there was also another customer from Indiana, so I hope I didn't get their stories and states crossed. Either way, they both travelled a long ways to East Texas! 

We are so thankful for everyone who came out to shop and visit, along with the ones who organized this show and everyone who shared and got the word out. We truly appreciate you for supporting handmade and products made in the USA by local people. 

Now, who volunteers to come clean out the camper and get all the new inventory photographed and listed in my shop?!? 

P.S. We are already making plans for the fall marketplace, so mark your calendars for the weekend  before Thanksgiving in November and come to the winter wonderland!